Protected functional initiators for making terminally functionalized polymers
AssigneeShell Oil Company
InventorsCarl L. Willis, Robert C. Bening
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The anionic polymerization of unsaturated monomers with functionalized initiators having the structure R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 Si--O--A'--Li is improved when each R is methyl and A' is --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.6 H.sub.10 --CH.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 --CR'R"--CH.sub.2 -- wherein R' is a linear alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R" is hydrogen or a linear alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. This initiator provides process and product advantages over all other known initiators of the same type.
Claims15
A process for making functionalized polymers, comprising the steps of:
- initiating polymerization of an unsaturated monomer at a temperature from 15.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. with a lithium initiator having the structure ##STR5## wherein A" is cyclohexyl or --CR'R"--, wherein R' is a linear alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R" is hydrogen or a linear alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms;
- and
- recovering a linear or branched polymer having one or more terminal functional groups.
A functionalized polymer produced by a process comprising the steps of:
- initiating polymerization of an unsaturated monomer at a temperature from 15.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. with a lithium initiator having the structure ##STR6## wherein A" is cyclohexyl or --CR'R"--, wherein R' is a linear alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R" is hydrogen or a linear alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms;
- and
- recovering a linear or branched polymer having one or more terminal functional groups.
A lithium compound for making functionalized polymers, having the structure:
- ##STR7## wherein A" is cyclohexyl or --CR'R"--, wherein R' is a linear alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R" is hydrogen or a linear alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.